The four-day Summer School 2026, held under the slogan “Think more digital, act greener”, took place from 8 to 11 June at Aparthotel Vučko on Jahorina Mountain.
The activity is part of the Sustainable Economic Development and Employment Promotion Programme (SEDEP), jointly co-financed by the European Union, the Swiss Government, and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, and implemented by GIZ in cooperation with the Impakt Investment Foundation.
The programme brought together representatives from 18 secondary schools from Zenica, Zvornik, Derventa, Vitez, Mostar, Hadžići, East Novo Sarajevo, Grude, Pale, Gračanica, Gradiška, Bihać, Ilijaš, Goražde and Vogošća. Each school was represented by one teacher and three students.
The concept of the programme was based on a simple but important idea: companies presented real business challenges to students, who then worked in teams, supported by mentors, lecturers and teachers, to develop solutions demonstrating how young people envision the future of digitalisation, work, technology, green energy and sustainable development.
During the four-day programme, participants attended introductory lectures on the digital and green economy and future skills, explored business challenges presented by companies, worked on business models with mentor support, and experienced future technologies on wheels—from 3D printing and robotics to VR/AR technologies, IoT systems and digital manufacturing. They also developed entrepreneurial skills, prepared public presentations and delivered final pitches before an expert jury.
Particular emphasis was placed on hands-on learning, teamwork and the development of ideas with potential for real-world application.
The programme involved the following companies: Messer Tehnoplin d.o.o., Audi Bosnia and Herzegovina, BH Telecom d.d. Sarajevo, STRABAG d.o.o., Telemach BH, TELEMAX d.o.o. Banja Luka / City Gecko, Kolektor CCL Klašnice, JUSRI d.o.o., Lupon Ventures and MDG International d.o.o. Vogošća. Through their challenges, the companies introduced students to actual market needs and emerging trends shaping modern industries.
Alongside the student programme, dedicated workshops were organised for teachers. Through three training modules, teachers worked on assertive communication with students, the use of AI tools in education, and the development of entrepreneurial competencies among learners. In this way, Summer School 2026 further strengthened its educational dimension, focusing not only on students but also on the educators who guide them throughout their learning journey.
“It was a great pleasure to organise and deliver another successful Summer School for secondary school students from across Bosnia and Herzegovina. During these four days, we created a space where students could demonstrate their creativity, knowledge and ways of thinking by working on real business challenges; teachers gained new tools and approaches for their work; and companies received direct insight into the potential, energy and innovativeness of young people. We are especially pleased that this format connects education and business in a practical and meaningful way, showing young people that their ideas have real value and application beyond the classroom. Through experiences like these, we build the competencies and confidence needed for successful participation in today’s labour market,” said Sanja Miovčić, Executive Director of the Impakt Investment Foundation.
This year’s best solutions were presented by winning teams from two regions. In Region 1, the winning team consisted of Anđela Glavaš (Grude), Edna Kurtović (Mostar), Alem Čajlaković (Zenica), Milisav Vidaković (Zvornik), and Nikola Vučičević (Pale), supported by teachers Aleksandra Miladinović (Derventa) and Zahid Lihovac (Hadžići). Their team successfully addressed the challenge presented by TELEMAX d.o.o. Banja Luka / City Gecko.
“The most important thing for us was to demonstrate that a good idea can be developed when each team member contributes their own experience and perspective. Through this process, we learned how to break down a problem, listen to one another, and present an idea clearly and effectively,” the students from the winning Region 1 team concluded.
In Region 2, the winning team consisted of Mahir Džebić (Gračanica), Amina Mešetović (Ilijaš), Vladimir Stojanović (Mostar), Svetozar Kaurin (Gradiška), and Lajla Đozo (Vogošća), supported by teacher Safet Halilagić (Goražde). They successfully responded to the challenge presented by LUPON VENTURES d.o.o.
“This experience showed us that the knowledge we gain in school can have real-life applications. Working on a challenge provided by a company was demanding, but that is exactly what made it valuable and motivating. We learned how important teamwork, communication and the courage to present ideas in front of others really are,” the students from the winning Region 2 team stated.
In addition to the announcement of the winning teams, special awards were presented for the most innovative, most digital, greenest, and coolest solutions.
“Summer School 2026 once again demonstrated the value of connecting vocational schools and small and medium-sized enterprises through practical cooperation on real business challenges. The programme enabled 60 students from 17 schools across Bosnia and Herzegovina to develop innovative solutions related to green and digital transition, including the use of artificial intelligence, energy efficiency and digitalisation. For us at GIZ, with the support of Germany, Switzerland and the European Union, this format represents an important bridge between education and employment, providing young people with relevant skills and experience. We are committed to continuing and expanding this initiative in the years ahead,” said Jens Elsner, Head of the SEDEP Programme at GIZ.
“Through this challenge, we wanted to introduce young people to the importance of sustainable mobility and demonstrate how innovation can contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions in transport. Their creativity, environmental awareness and the quality of their proposed solutions confirm that the next generation has the potential to become a key driver of sustainable change,” said Miran Stambol, Brand Manager at Audi Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The programme also included a panoramic tour of Jahorina and informal networking activities designed to help participants connect and build new friendships. Summer School concluded with a barbecue gathering hosted by Neno Cooks. One particularly memorable moment was the collective planting of a tree—a symbolic yet meaningful reminder that sustainability is not only discussed through presentations, but also demonstrated through small, concrete actions and positive examples.
Summer School 2026 once again confirms the importance of connecting education, young people and the private sector. Working on real business challenges enables students to gain practical experience and additional knowledge in modern technologies, develop an entrepreneurial mindset and better understand the opportunities available to them in the labour market. At the same time, programmes like this build a bridge between the classroom and the business world, contributing to the development of competencies needed for a green and digital future.
